A/N: Yay for reunions. The reunion starts in this chapter. :)
Day before Alex arrives home…
It was midnight, and the phone was ringing. 'Why is the phone ringing?' Alex thought as she reached for the handle. "Hello," she answered.
"Emily, its Jack. Get up and pack what you need, I will be there in an hour."
"What?" Alex questioned.
"Get your go bag ready, you are leaving. I will explain when I get there."
Alex didn't hesitate. She jumped out of bed and quickly packed a bag and carefully placed the picture of Casey on top before closing the bag. Then she threw on a pair of jeans, a sweater and her favorite boots. Running downstairs she touched up her makeup in the hall mirror and tied her hair in a ponytail. She was ready and had thirty minutes to wait. She didn't need anything else in this house. All she hoped was that she might be going home.
Jack arrived in an hour just like he said he would. The second Alex saw him she jumped up and ran to the door. "Ready," Jack said as Alex opened the door.
"Yeah, let's go." Alex replied while closing the door and heading to the car. Once inside she asked "What the deal?"
"The man who shot you was caught and is being tried for your murder along with four others."
"What does that mean? You can't try someone for a murder they did not commit."
"It means you need to go back to NYC and testify and I have to tell the ADA in charge so they can fix the charge in your case to attempted murder. Normally, I would ask you, but I figured you would say yes."
"You got that part right. Wait, so I get to go home?"
"Yes Alex, you get to go home and stay home as long as Connors is found guilty."
"Connors is his name?"
"Yeah, his file is in between your seat and console."
Alex looked over the file. It was wrong on so many levels for her to be looking at this considering she would be testifying, but right now she didn't care. Finishing, she put the file down and said, "Wow, so that's the man that stole my life. I can't believe that this nightmare might finally come to an end."
By 8 am they were driving through the streets of New York City. The flight had been uneventful, but the drive through the city that Alex had so longed to return to had her panicking. Taking a deep breath, she asked, "Jack where are we going?"
"Normally Alex I would have you hidden away in a hotel somewhere in the city. Although, I thought I would personally cut you some slack. Your apartment complex is very secure and since no one right now is aware you are alive, and no one will really be aware till tomorrow morning I thought it was safe enough to let you go home."
"I still have a home?" Alex asks not believing what she is hearing.
"Casey never moved Alex, and the apartment is technically still in your name so yes, you can go home."
"Is Casey aware I am alive?"
Jack shook his head, "No not at this moment."
"So you want me to what pop up in her apartment and scare the shit out of her? I have no desire to be shot again Jack." Alex sighs.
Scowling Jack replies, "Alex she is at work, and I will let her know before she leaves. You are ok to go home. She hasn't moved on or anything. I have had her periodically watched for safety purposes."
Alex nodded although she was nervous as hell, "Okay then. Take me home."
Walking into the apartment was surreal. The front hall looked the same as if she had never left. She walked to the hall table and turned on the light noticing a new picture next to the light. It was one of the last pictures Casey had taken of them before Alex "died". They were picnicking in Central Park and Casey was insistent on taking their picture so Alex kissed her cheek as she snapped the shot. It turned out to be a really cute picture. Alex wiped a tear from her cheek and continued down turning into the dining room and walking into the kitchen.
Everything looked as it did before she left her last morning. Casey's coffee cup sat on the counter next to their picture from the beach, Alex's would have been in the sink or dishwasher. The counters were clear, which was an obvious sign that Casey probably hadn't been eating well unless she hired a maid.
She turned and walked into the living room. Everything looked normal, nothing had been moved. She took off her coat and laid it on the couch as she walked into their bedroom. Looking over the room she becomes instantly breathless.
It had been a year and a half since she had last been home, but everything was the way it had been. She could see her jewelry that she'd worn the day before she was shot still on the bedside table where she left them. She walked over to her closet door and opened it shocked to see all her clothes. Casey hadn't cleared away anything of hers. Everything was right where it had been.
She walked into the back of the closet and pulled down her big Harvard Law sweatshirt, unfolding it Alex smiles seeing the black velvet ring box. Opening the box she is relieved to find the sapphire and diamond ring is still safe inside, she can't believe Casey never found it. She quickly refolds the ring box back into the sweatshirt and puts it back up on the shelf.
Grabbing a pair of yoga pants and one of Casey's old softball shirts she heads into the bathroom and takes a long shower. Afterwards she climbs into their bed, into Casey's side pulling Casey's pillow up tight against her chest breathing Casey's scent in deep. Alex thought she might not ever smell Casey again and being able to is overwhelming. Tears begin pouring out of her eyes finally a sob escapes her. She feels like she is in emotional overdrive. She is so happy to be home and to know that Casey clearly still loves her. After crying for about an hour Alex finally succumbs to the sleep she so desperately needs.
Casey is literally in shock. She knew she was going to see Alex sometime in the next two days, but she did not expect that moment to be now. Quickly she forces herself to quietly move to the dresser and set the tea down before she drops the cup. She turns back and looks at the sleeping woman. How did she get here so fast?
Looking her over Casey can tell that she has changed since arriving since she is wearing Casey's old softball shirt. She wants nothing more than to climb into bed and Alex tight, she wants to feel her heart beat and breathing, she wants to be reassured in every way that Alex really is alive. Casey goes to her closet and changes into a pair of pajama bottoms and a tank top, and then she walks back to the bed. Quietly she climbs into the bed and lies down next to the blonde. As quietly and softly as she can she curls up next to Alex and replaces herself for the pillow. Considering Alex never wakes during the repositioning Casey figures she must be exhausted. Casey could care less that Alex hasn't woken up she is way too relieved to know that she really is alive. Right now all she wants to do is hold her love tight and sleep a little herself. Listening to Alex's breathing she falls into a deep sleep.
When Casey wakes up she opens her eyes to find Alex looking right back. Alex reaches up and runs her hand down Casey's cheek smiling as Casey tilts into her touch. "I have missed you so much. I love you so much." Alex says quietly.
Casey starts to cry, "I love you too. Please don't leave me again. Are you here to stay?"
Alex tries to soothe her, "Yeah, baby I am here to stay. We just have to make sure Connors goes away and I am good to stay."
With a trembling voice Casey asks, "And i-if he gets o-off?"
"Then you and I together will figure something out. I had no control last time, but I refuse to leave you behind again. I almost didn't make it without you." Alex says pulling Casey in for a soft kiss that quickly turns more passionate. When they are finally in need of air they part resting their heads together.
Casey is the first to speak, "I missed you so much. I have cried every day for you. Where were you?"
"I know. I am so sorry. They stuck me in Wisconsin. I wanted to come home every single day. I couldn't sleep without you, I cried myself to sleep every night."
"You promise you won't leave me like that again?" Casey asks.
"I promise Casey." As soon as Alex answers Casey pulls Alex into another passionate kiss. This time hands begin to explore the body of the partner they have missed so much. Before long clothes are tossed to the side and Casey is kissing her way down Alex's body. Alex stops her movements and pulls her up.
Breathlessly she pleads, "Together Casey, I want us to go together."
Casey nods in understanding as she kisses Alex again while slipping her hand to Alex's center. Noticing how ready her girlfriend is she slips one finger in followed by another rubbing her thumb against her clit, Alex instantly gasps at the contact causing a smile to form on Casey's face as she playfully nips Alex's chin and starts to slowly move her fingers in and out of her lover. Once Alex regains some control she slips two fingers into Casey pressing her thumb hard against her clit and soon the two are rocking against each other both fast approaching their end. Casey flies over the edge first quickly followed by Alex. The two clutch onto each other as they come down from the highs.
"Oh my God," Casey pants, "it has been way to long."
"You're telling me," Alex sighs curling into Casey, "Can we sleep some more before dinner?"
"Oh, are you making me dinner?" Casey jokes.
"Oh no, you really haven't been eating!" Alex says smiling.
"Yes I have, just a lot of takeout. But seriously baby, yes we can sleep before dinner, I have it all taken care of just go to sleep now." Casey soothes.
"Okay, thank you Casey," Alex sighs, "I know you have lots of questions and I promise to answer them during dinner."
"Thank you baby. I love you so much Alex."
"I love you too Casey."